My Journey on a 489 Visa

Skilled Regional subclass 489 is a provisional visa which allows skilled migrants to live, work and study in specified regional areas of Australia for up to four years. To be eligible to apply for this visa you are either nominated by an Australian State or be sponsored by an eligible relative living in a Designated area of Australia. A State or relative nomination provides you with 10 additional points to help you out with your DIBP points test. When you are a holder of this visa and have lived in a specified regional area for two years and work full-time (35 hour per week) for 12 months, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through DIBP Skilled-Regional (Residence) visa (subclass 887).

Stumbling blocks

I migrated here in Australia with this visa after working in Singapore for 6 years. I guess we all have different circumstances in life but the reason I picked this visa wasn’t really my choice. But it was the wisest decision I made. I had several stumbling blocks reaching the 60-points pass mark at that time. First, although I had a positive skills assessment from ACS for my occupation but my degree was only assessed as an Associate Degree which means I only get 10 points for my Bachelor’s Degree. Secondly, IELTS was my worst nightmare. I had to retake the test several times hoping to achieve an all band 7 and be able to claim 10 points for it. But that didn’t happen in every test result there was always one show stopper. It attempted to crash my dreams. And yet that’s not all, guess what added more to the misery? My age was hanging around the 33-39 brackets. I only had 3 months prior to my 40th birthday which will then mean a decrement of my points and pull me down some more by 10 points.

I was getting desperate but that didn’t stop me from pursuing my dreams. I did my researched, read a lot of topics in PinoyAu forum (Thanks PinoyAu!), spoken to a lot of people for advice and kept re-assessing my points and options. Taking into consideration that I have 3 months before my age points will decrease to 15. I took the plunged to apply for a South Australia State Nomination under 489 visa. And it wasn’t long enough, after 2 weeks SA approved my application for State Nomination and then automatically I also received an invitation to apply from SkillsSelect. I waited no time and lodged my visa application for 489 in mid October 2013 a week after I received the invitation. My visa was granted after a month from the date of application. I was really happy, nervous, excited, name it and I was just jumping for joy. Praise God! He always finds a way to get you to where you want to go.

I and my partner (whom I applied with a Subsequent-Entrant visa – this would be another story!) are now permanent residents after complying with the visa conditions I have stated above. We’ve been living and working here in Adelaide the capital city of South Australia for 3 years now. And we love it!

Loves to take pictures in my day to day life in Adelaide. Loves road trips around SA and the rest of Australia. More on my website www.placesandspots.comAlso writes at Weekendnoteshttp://www.weekendnotes.com/profile/780440/

Loves to take pictures in my day to day life in Adelaide.
Loves road trips around SA and the rest of Australia.
More on my website www.placesandspots.com
Also writes at Weekendnotes
http://www.weekendnotes.com/profile/780440/

main difference is under 489 you don’t have medicare entitlement. I’ve not had any major difficulties except that getting a good full time job related to my field proved to be challenging. We also had Bupa Health cover the whole time that we were still under 489 for peace of mind.

Hi Joyce,
I got my 489 visa through South Australia State Nomination if that’s what you’re asking. Basically, since the visa was SA State Nominated I had a moral obligation to live and work in SA for 2 years. The whole State of SA is considered regional that includes their capital city – Adelaide

It is inspiring to see folks succeeded in acquiring their PR through 489 visa. My question is do you have to be working on your nominated skill? And will the employer genuinely honor the visa to land a job . We are currently on the process of lodging our 489 visa and there are tons of question. Your input will be highly appreciated.

you don’t have to be working in your nominated skill. any job na full time(at least 35hours a week) for 12 months. it can be two jobs as long as makabuo ka nang 35 hours/wk or 70 hours/fortnight sa payslips mo. Yes, all employer nman will have no issues with 489 visa. Mostly sa kanila walang alam sa mga types of visa so you just have to explain a bit. Also, they can lookup about your visa sa VEVO if they require.
Just keep your questions coming will be happy to answer. Goodluck! Cheers!

Yes lodgement na ng visa through an agent from Brisbane. We have secured a state nomination from Tas. Thanks for the link, so it will take at least 9 months. Ayos din yan ng makapag prepare pa at makapag ipon pa 🙂 . Salamat iamisyut you are an inspiration. I hope na di ka magsawa sa pagsagot sa mga tanong.

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